BIG EAST STARTUP CHALLENGE

Each year, the most promising student venture team from each BIG EAST Conference school pitches to judges for prizes and tickets to a Big East Basketball game!

This virtual competition offers undergraduate entrepreneurs representing all 11 schools the opportunity to pitch their idea to a panel of experienced judges, who will rank them on a variety of factors including: idea/concept; market need; value proposition; feasibility; and passion and presentation. The top teams will receive an honorarium to be used to help grow their startup business and on court recognition during the BIG EAST Basketball Tournament.  This year’s competition is February 29, 6-8:30pm.

To determine the team representing Butler, undergraduates are invited to pitch their ideas during a campus competition that follows the same format as the larger challenge.

Campus Competition

Thursday, FEBRUARY 15, 4:30pM, DH 135 | Register | Download Flier

Each student or team will:

• Submit up to a 5 minute video discussing their idea and how it meets competition guidelines (see Criteria below).

• Complete a live Q&A with judging panel of students and alum

• Video submission should be uploaded by 12pm (noon) the day of the competition

Campus winner will:

• Receive feedback and coaching, February 15-February 28

• Practice and submit final video pitch for virtual competition, February 23rd, 5pm

• Participate in a virtual dress rehearsal, February 26th, 4pm

• Participate in the virtual BIG EAST Startup Challenge Event, February 29th, 6-8:30pm

• Potential recognition at the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament, March 9th

Interested but want to hear from a student perspective? Watch the 2023 campus winner, Emma Evanko’s pitch and advice or the 2023 competition.

Criteria

Participation. Each team/company must fulfill the following criteria:

○ All presenting students must be currently enrolled undergraduate students at a BIG EAST institution.

○ Teams can consist of not more than four (4) undergraduate students. The actual company may have more team members, but no more than four can present in the competition.

○ The presenting students must have a majority ownership of the business they are presenting. In other words, the students cannot be employees or agents of a company for which they are not founders.

○ Less than $50,000 in revenue.

○ Less than $50,000 in investment.

○ Not incorporated for more than one year.

○ Non-profit and for-profit businesses are eligible, however the criteria will be the same for all.

Judging. Teams are evaluated on the following criteria during their 5 minute pitch and Q&A:

• Idea/Concept: Has the team presented a relevant problem (market need)? Does their idea solve that problem?

• Market Need: Does the pitch answer the need in a market place? Does the pitch show that the idea/innovation is necessary?

• Value Proposition: Has the team shown why their idea has value and that their innovation is the best suited for solving the market need?

• Feasibility: Has the team shown that their idea/innovation can simply be implemented/used by their target consumer?

• Sustainability: How will the venture sustain itself financially in order to achieve its mission?

• Passion and Presentation: Did the team confidently deliver a clear, concise message, presented in a professional manner?